{"product_id":"black-negligee-snakeroot","title":"Black Negligee Snakeroot","description":"\u003ch1\u003eLate-Season Shade Color for Twin Cities Woodland Gardens\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack Negligee Snakeroot (\u003cem\u003eActaea (formerly Cimicifuga) 'Black Negligee'\u003c\/em\u003e) is a snakeroot hand-selected for the Twin Cities climate. Tall white bottlebrush flower spikes in late summer to early fall; fragrant and pollinator-attractive. Whether you're planting a shaded border in Maple Grove, layering a foundation bed in Burnsville, or anchoring a perennial bed in Edina — Black Negligee Snakeroot performs reliably in zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBlack Negligee Snakeroot Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eActaea (formerly Cimicifuga) 'Black Negligee'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSnakeroot, Bugbane, Black Cohosh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 feet (with bloom stalks)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow to moderate — slow to establish, long-lived\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePart shade to full shade. Bottom-most leaves can scorch in hot afternoon sun.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConsistent moisture. Mulch deeply to retain soil moisture.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRich, moist, organic-rich soil. Amend Minnesota clay-loam with compost at planting.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeeply cut, ferny dark purple-bronze or green foliage; striking in shade gardens.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F. Among the most cold-hardy perennials available.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStrongly deer-resistant. The plant has a slight bug-repelling scent (hence the old name \"Bugbane\").\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTall white bottlebrush flower spikes in late summer to early fall; fragrant and pollinator-attractive.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate summer to early fall — uncommon for shade plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBlack Negligee Snakeroot Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLate-season shade color\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSnakeroot is one of the few shade plants that flowers in late August and September, filling a tough seasonal gap in Twin Cities woodland gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eArchitectural backdrop\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 3–5 foot bloom stalks add vertical drama behind shorter shade perennials like coral bells, hostas, and astilbe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollinator support in shaded yards\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLate-season blooms support migrating monarchs and native bumblebees when most other shade flowers are done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Black Negligee Snakeroot in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window.\u003c\/strong\u003e Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May) is the second-best window\u003c\/strong\u003e — the plant gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Black Negligee Snakeroot\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDig wide, not deep.\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container. Heavy clay benefits from even wider digging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCheck drainage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fill the hole with water — if it doesn't drain in 30 minutes, mound-plant or break through any clay hardpan to improve drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBackfill with native soil + 20–30% compost.\u003c\/strong\u003e Minnesota clay-loam benefits from organic amendment but don't create a \"container\" of pure compost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing.\u003c\/strong\u003e Refer to the mature width above and space accordingly. Closer for mass plantings, wider for individual specimen plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater basin.\u003c\/strong\u003e Build a 3–4 inch ring around the planting to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove before winter to avoid ice damage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulch.\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk or crown. Do NOT use gravel mulch in Minnesota — it doesn't insulate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Black Negligee Snakeroot in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes per plant)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages ~3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze\u003c\/strong\u003e (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro) to avoid pushing late-season growth that gets killed by winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished plants only need supplemental water during droughts (2+ weeks with no rain and temps above 80°F). Water deeply and infrequently — every 7–14 days during dry spells, soaking to 6–8 inches depth. Let natural rainfall do most of the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Snakeroot survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — hardy to zone 3. Once established, it is exceptionally long-lived in MN gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long does it take to mature?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSnakeroot is slow to establish — give it 2–3 years to size up. Once mature, it persists for decades with minimal care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all\"\u003eShop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog\u003c\/a\u003e — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/deer-resistant\"\u003eDeer-Resistant Plants\u003c\/a\u003e — for high-pressure suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Eden Prairie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/pollinator-garden\"\u003ePollinator Garden Plants\u003c\/a\u003e — supports the Lawns to Legumes program\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Black Negligee Snakeroot Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSnakeroot is a tall accent best placed as a specimen or in small groups. Space plants 2.5–3 ft. apart; for a back-of-border row, use this guide:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRow Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (≈2.5 ft. apart)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA single plant makes a striking vertical accent behind shorter shade perennials; a group of 3 spaced 2.5 ft. apart builds the boldest dark-foliage mass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBlack Negligee Snakeroot Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deeply cut dark purple-bronze foliage emerges slowly — give established plants time to build their full height.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The ferny dark leaves form a 3–5 ft. backdrop behind coral bells, hostas, and astilbe.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tall, fragrant white bottlebrush spikes open in late summer to early fall, supporting migrating monarchs and late bumblebees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e The plant dies back and overwinters easily — it's hardy to -40°F and exceptionally long-lived.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Deer-Resistant   ✔ Shade-Tolerant   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Rain-Garden \/ Wet-Soil\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/black-pearls-astilbe\"\u003eBlack Pearls Astilbe\u003c\/a\u003e — dark buds and white plumes that echo the snakeroot's color in early summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/berry-smoothie-coral-bells\"\u003eBerry Smoothie Coral Bells\u003c\/a\u003e — colorful low mounds to plant at the base of the tall stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/alexanders-great-brunnera\"\u003eAlexander's Great Brunnera\u003c\/a\u003e — big silver leaves for bright contrast in the same moist shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/lady-fern\"\u003eLady Fern\u003c\/a\u003e — airy fronds that fill the woodland border around it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Black Negligee Snakeroot Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSnakeroot is ideal for moist, rich, shaded woodland beds and the north or east side of the house, where its late flowers fill the August–September gap and deer pass it by. Not a fit for hot, dry, sunny spots: the lower leaves scorch and the plant struggles where soil dries out, so reserve it for cool, consistently moist shade.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54219868537137,"sku":null,"price":26.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/Black_Negligee_Snakeroot_2.jpg?v=1778991926","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/black-negligee-snakeroot","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}